Competitividad de las unidades de producción rural en santo domingo Teojomulco y san Jacinto Tlacotepec, sierra sur, Oaxaca, México

In the Sierra Sur region of the state of Oaxaca, México, high indexes of marginalization and poverty prevail. This situation is influenced by several factors, one of them being the low competitiveness of rural production units. The objective of this study was to determine the level of competitiveness of families and to identify the variables that determine it. A survey was carried out with heads of households in Santo Domingo Teojomulco and San Jacinto Tlacotepec, complemented with visits and informal meetings. The competitiveness per productive unit was quantified through the Private Cost Relation (Relación de Costo Privado, RCP), and a multiple linear regression model was formulated where competitiveness was the dependent variable. The results indicated that 83 % of the production units are not competitive, since although their net profit is positive, the added value is insufficient to cover the production factors. Competitiveness is determined by factors such as the cost of labor, auto-consumption, sales, cash expenses, subsidies and maize productivity. In order to improve competitiveness, increasing and diversifying land productivity with technological improvement is required, as well as fostering a higher level of auto-consumption and participation in the market.En la región Sierra Sur del estado de Oaxaca, México, prevalecen elevados índices de marginación y pobreza. Esta situación es influenciada por varios factores, uno de ellos es la baja competitividad de las unidades de producción rural. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar el nivel de competitividad de las familias e identificar las variables que la determinan. Se realizó una encuesta a jefes de familia de Santo Domingo Teojomulco y San Jacinto Tlacotepec, complementada con recorridos y reuniones informales. Se cuantificó la competitividad por unidad productiva mediante la Relación de Costo Privado (RCP), y se formuló un modelo de regresión lineal múltiple en donde la competitividad fue la variable dependiente. Los resultados indicaron que 83 % de las unidades de producción no son competitivas, ya que aunque su ganancia neta es positiva, el valor agregado es insuficiente para cubrir los factores de producción. La competitividad está determinada por factores como el costo de mano de obra, el autoconsumo, las ventas, los gastos en efectivo, los subsidios y la productividad del maíz. Para mejorar la competitividad se requiere incrementar y diversificar la productividad de la tierra con mejoras tecnológicas, y propiciar mayor nivel de autoconsumo y participación en el mercado

Optimizing dialysis dose in the context of frailty: an exploratory study

Introduction Frailty is a multicausal syndrome characterized by a decrease in strength, resistance and physiological function, which makes the individual vulnerable and dependent, and increases his/her mortality. This syndrome is more prevalent among older individuals, and chronic kidney disease patients, particularly those on dialysis. Dialysis dose is currently standardized for hemodialysis (HD) patients regardless of their age and functional status. However, it has been postulated that the dialysis dose required in older patients, especially frail ones, should be lower, since it could increase their degree of frailty. Then, the purpose of this study was to evaluate if there would be a correlation between the dose of Kt/V and the degree of frailty in a population of adult patients on HD. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study with 82 patients on HD in Barranquilla (Colombia) and Lobos (Argentina) was conducted. Socio-demographic and laboratory data, as well as dialysis doses (Kt/V) were recorded and scales of fragility, physical activity, gait and grip strength were applied. Then these data were correlated by a Spearman’s correlation and a logistic regression. Results CFS, social isolation, physical activity, gait speed, and prehensile strength tests were outside the reference ranges in the studied group. No significant correlation was found between dialysis dose and all the above mentioned functional tests. However, a significant and inverse correlation between physical activity and CFS was documented (score − 1.41 (CI − 2.1 to − 0.7). Conclusion No significant correlation was documented between Kt/V value and different parameters of the frailty status, but this status correlated significantly and inversely with physical activity in this group. Frailty status in hemodialysis patients was significantly higher in older individuals, although young individuals were not exempt from it

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Expected exclusion limits to TeV dark matter from the Perseus Cluster with the Cherenkov Telescope Array

International audienceClusters of galaxies are the largest gravitationally-bound structures in the Universe. They are composed of galaxies and gas (approximately 15% of the total mass) mostly dark matter (DM, accounts up to 85% of the total mass). If the DM is composed of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs), galaxy clusters represent one of the best targets to search for gamma-ray signals induced by the decay of WIMPs, with masses around the TeV scale. Due to its sensitivity and energy range of operation (from 20 GeV to 300 TeV), the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) Observatory has a unique opportunity to test WIMPs with masses close to the unitarity limit. This will complement the searches for DM from other gamma-ray observatories as well as direct and collider experiments. The CTA Observatory is planning to search for gamma-ray emission, either its origin may be cosmic-ray (CR) or DM related, in the Perseus galaxy cluster during the first years of operation. In this poster, we will present the software created to perform the analysis using the \texttt{ctools} software and the corresponding results

Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Associated with Subclinical Vascular Damage Indicators in Asymptomatic Hypertensive Patients

Background: Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is frequent in patients with cardiovascular risk factors including arterial hypertension, and it is associated with vascular damage in other organs and the risk of stroke, cognitive impairment, and dementia. Early diagnosis of CSVD could prevent deleterious consequences. Objective: To characterize CSVD associated with indicators of subclinical vascular damage in asymptomatic hypertensive patients. Materials and Methods: Participants were hypertensive (HT) and non-hypertensive (non-HT) individuals; without signs of cerebrovascular disease, dementia, and chronic renal failure. For CSVD, white matter hyperintensities (WMH), enlarged Virchow&ndash;Robin perivascular spaces (EVRPS), lacunar infarcts, and microbleeds were investigated. Subclinical vascular damage was evaluated (hypertensive retinopathy, microalbuminuria, and extracranial carotid morphology: intima media thickness (IMT) and atheroma plaque). Results: CSVD MRI findings were more frequent in HT; as well as greater intimal thickening. The IMT and/or plaque was significantly associated with all MRI variables; but retinopathy was correlated with EVRPS and lacunar infarcts. Only microalbuminuria was related to the greater severity of WMH in HT. Multivariate analysis evidenced that CSVD was independently associated with the combination of indicators of vascular damage and systolic blood pressure. Conclusions: Combining indicators of subclinical vascular damage, such as carotid morphological variables, microalbuminuria, and hypertensive retinopathy for early detection of CSVD in asymptomatic hypertensive patients could prove to be useful to take actions for the prevention of irreversible brain damage, which could lead to cognitive impairment, dementia and stroke

Impact of antimicrobial stewardship programs on antibiotic consumption and antimicrobial resistance in four Colombian healthcare institutions.

Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) have become a fundamental pillar in optimizing antimicrobial usage, improving patient care, and reducing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Herein we evaluated the impact of an ASP on antimicrobial consumption and AMR in Colombia. We designed a retrospective observational study and measured trends in antibiotic consumption and AMR before and after the implementation of an ASP using interrupted time series analysis over a 4-year period (24 months before and 24 months after ASP implementation). ASPs were implemented according to the available resources in each of the institutions. Before ASP implementation, there was a trend toward an increase in the antibiotic consumption of all measured antimicrobials selected. Afterward, an overall decrease in antibiotic consumption was observed. The use of ertapenem and meropenem decreased in hospital wards, while a decrease in the use of ceftriaxone, cefepime, piperacillin/tazobactam, meropenem, and vancomycin was observed in intensive care units. After ASP implementation, the trend toward an increase of oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, ceftriaxone-resistant Escherichia coli, and meropenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa was reversed. In our study, we showed that ASPs are a key strategy in tackling the emerging threat of AMR and have a positive impact on antibiotic consumption and resistance

Red de articulación institucional y organizacional para gestionar innovaciones en la región de los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, México.

In the region of Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, a Network for Institutional and Organizational Articulation (Red de Articulación Institucional y Organizacional, RAIO) was formed to improve the relationships of collaboration, cooperation and association between institutions and organizations involved in a proposal of institutional intervention that dealt with the scarce technological innovation in the economic and social development of small-scale hillside farmers, with the agroecologic technology of milpa interspersed with fruit trees (MIAF, for its initials in Spanish), promoted with participatory strategies in order to improve knowledge and comprehension among producers, and to become the basis for innovation in the face of conditions that complicate its transference, such as scarce inter-institutional coordination. Institutions were invited to integrate the RAIO, an essential part of the proposal, generating new levels of relationship among them. With the social network analysis (SNA), relationship structures were compared in two moments, “before the proposal” and “with the proposal”, to identify actors and the ties generated. It is concluded that the RAIO was integrated by eight institutional actors that promoted development and natural resource conservation, structured as a temporary network that strengthened the relationships between actors and generated synergies to improve family production systems, and that the management of innovations for economic and social development of the rural sector in Los Tuxtlas is a complex process socially, institutionally and organizationally.En la región de Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz se formó una Red de Articulación Institucional y Organizacional (RAIO) para mejorar relaciones de colaboración, cooperación y asociación entre instituciones y organizaciones involucradas en una propuesta de intervención institucional, que atendió la escasa innovación tecnoló- gica en el desarrollo económico y social de pequeños agricultores de ladera, con la tecnología agroecológica milpa intercalada en árboles frutales (MIAF), promovida con estrategias participativas para fortalecer su conocimiento y comprensión en productores, y ser base para la innovación ante condiciones que dificultan su transferencia, como la escasa coordinación interinstitucional. Se convocó a instituciones para integrar la RAIO, parte fundamental de la propuesta, generando nuevos niveles de relación entre ellas. Con el análisis de redes sociales (ARS) se compararon estructuras relacionales en dos momentos, “antes de la propuesta” y “con la propuesta”, para identificar actores y vínculos generados. Se concluye que la RAIO está integrada por ocho actores institucionales que promueven desarrollo y conservación de recursos naturales, estructurada como red temporal que potenció relaciones entre actores y generó sinergias para mejorar sistemas de producción familiar, y que la gestión de innovaciones para el desarrollo econó- mico y social del sector rural de Los Tuxtlas es un proceso social, institucional y organizacionalmente complejo

Cien días vistos por CINEP (No. 78 mar-mayo 2013)

La edición no 78 de la revista Cien días vistos por CINEP/PPP: "La trastienda de la paz", aborda temas de actualidad y coyuntura sobre los diálogos de paz que tienen lugar en La Habana entre el gobierno y las FARC. Escenarios como el de los diálogos entre el Gobierno del Presidente Santos Calderón y la Guerrilla de las FARC-EP en La Habana, abonan de manera importante a una salida más política que guerrera tanto para la desactivación y superación del conflicto armado como para la necesaria y profunda construcción de un proceso de pazÍndice: Desarrollo/regiones "El desarrollo enomico como plataforma para la Paz: Una contradicción que compromete los territorios rurales" por Zohanny Arboleda; "Alambre de púas en Playa Blanca" por Dairo Andrés Sánchez Mojica; "¿Quién decide sobre el ecoturismo en el Paque Tayrona" por Julián Eduardo Naranjo; "Consulta previa: ¿obstáculo u oportunidad para la profundización democrática?" por Ana María Restrepo y Sergio Coronado Delgado. Paz. "Entre las armas y la política: Aproximación a las visiones subjetivas de las FARC en el proceso de paz" por Teófilo Vásquez; "La reedición del sesgo anticampesino" por Andrés Aponte; "Dudas sonbre la sostenibilidad del proces" por Fernán E. González G.; "Cubrimiento mediático y polarización frente a las negociaciones de paz en La Habana" por Laura González Pérez; "Una negociación en dos carriles. Un acercamiento a la coyuntura de las negociaciones en La Habana" por Fernán E. González G. Movimientos Sociales. "La movilización popular guajira por el carbón" por Alvaro Delgado; "Conflicto en la Universidad Nacional: una crisis anunciada" por Mauricio Archila; "Comunidad de San José de Apartadó. Construir esperanza desde el dolor" por Javier Giraldo M., S.J. Derechos Humanos. "Memorias Débiles de los hechos de violencia político-social en el Valle del Cauca. Primer trimestre del año 2013" por Cristian Llanos. Elecciones. "El país político ante los retos de la paz. Entre la competencia y la polarización" por Víctor Barrera. Bogotá. "¿Es capaz la ciudadanía de deliberar y decidir en Bogotá?: el reto de la Bogotá Humana entre la legitimidad y la revocatoria" por Marcela Cadena Cruz y Juan Carlos Merchán Zuleta. Economía. "¡La enfermedad holandesa ya es evidente!" por Jorge Iván González; "¿La economía en Colombia va tan bien como la pintan?" por Mónica Osorio Aguiar. Internacional."Venezuela más allá de Hugo Chavez" por Mónica Osorio Aguiar